War Letters of a Public-School BoyJones, Henry Paul Mainwaring
History
War Letters of a Public-School Boy
Jones, Henry Paul Mainwaring
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, British
realise how these "mad English" can forget the War when in the
middle of it, and when any minute their "sport" might be
interrupted by a "Jack Johnson." I was with our Brigade
Veterinary Officer, who, of course, is an equine expert. It was a
treat to hear him telling off the points of the magnificent
chargers passing in front of us, pawing the ground and snorting,
full of dash and fire. To me the whole affair had a profound
interest. I have never enjoyed myself more, and really its
psychological significance was immense.
On the morning of 25th September, 1915, the 1st and 4th Corps of the
British Army delivered an attack on the enemy line between La Bassee
Canal on the north and a point opposite the village of Grenay on the
south. There were subsidiary simultaneous attacks east of Ypres by the
5th Corps, and north of the La Bassee Canal by the 3rd and the Indian
Corps. Our main attack was made in co-operation with the French
offensive on our right. The British Cavalry Corps was posted in the
neighbourhood of St. Pol and Bailleul-les-Pernes, in readiness to
co-operate with the French Cavalry in pushing home any success which
might be attained by the combined offensive.
_September 23rd, 1915._
I am about to leave on an official mission, the nature of which I
cannot disclose to you for the time being. My kit has had to be
sent away, and I am only equipped with things I can carry about
me or in my saddle-wallets on the horses. Revolver, haversack,
official books, map-case and respirator are slung about my body.
It is fine to be independent of trunks. Last night I bivouacked
in a field, and one day I was quartered in a mining village which
before the war must have been a busy place. It reminded me very
much of the outskirts of Llanelly. I am feeling better in health
and spirits than ever before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account